Court rejects Kanu’s brother as legal representative, adjourns transfer request

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday barred Emmanuel Kanu from attempting to represent his elder brother, Nnamdi Kanu, during court proceedings, insisting that only a qualified legal practitioner can appear for the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, also adjourned until December 8 the hearing of an application seeking to transfer Kanu from the Sokoto Correctional Facility, where he has been held since his conviction.

Kanu was convicted on November 20, 2025, on seven terrorism-related charges and sentenced to life imprisonment.

He was relocated to the Sokoto facility shortly after the ruling due to security concerns at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

Proceedings took an unexpected twist when Emmanuel Kanu stood up in court and announced that he was representing the convicted IPOB leader.

Justice Omotosho immediately halted him, explaining that the law does not permit a non-lawyer—regardless of familial ties—to speak or file applications on behalf of a defendant or convict in a criminal matter.

The judge advised Emmanuel to hire a competent lawyer or approach the Legal Aid Council for assistance if necessary.

He added that the court would not consider any application until it is properly filed and presented by a licensed attorney.

Although Emmanuel requested the earliest possible date for the hearing, Justice Omotosho fixed December 8, noting that the court’s Monday schedule was already congested.

The judge also cautioned against public misrepresentation of legal procedures, referencing comments made by one of Kanu’s former lawyers—now acting as a consultant—claiming that Kanu could not compile his appeal record without being physically present in court.

Justice Omotosho described the claim as misleading and clarified that the law does not require the physical presence of a convict to prepare the record of appeal.

Lawyers present in the courtroom unanimously agreed with the court’s position.

Kanu’s application, which he personally signed from custody, requests his transfer from Sokoto to a correctional facility within Abuja.

He argued that the over 700-kilometre distance makes it extremely difficult for him to exercise his constitutional right to appeal his conviction.

He maintained that preparing his appeal demands regular communication with the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in Abuja, access to relatives, and consultation with advisers—all of whom are based in the capital.

In the alternative, Kanu asked the court to consider relocating him to Suleja or Keffi, both closer to Abuja, to allow him better access to legal resources and court processes.

He stressed that being held far from Abuja hampers his ability to manage the appeal, particularly since he currently has no legal team and intends to personally handle parts of the process.

Justice Omotosho said all issues raised in the motion will be addressed when the matter resumes on December 8.